Did you know? You can get to Greenland on points and miles
Today, we are launching "Did You Know?" — a series of weekly posts exploring lesser-known corners of the world of points and miles, rewards credit cards, and air travel. Check back every Wednesday for a new article!
While we are all grounded, you might be planning your next adventure. Typically, the hardest part of going to a pretty remote destination is the journey itself. And that rings especially true for getting to Greenland.
The world's largest island is an autonomous territory within Denmark. If you're into nature vacations like me, then it could be a great place to go. But even better is that you can actually redeem your points and miles to get there!
Let's dive right in to your options for getting to Greenland.
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First: due to its remote nature, there isn't much air service to Greenland. If you're planning to fly there from North America, you're going to need to "overfly" the island and backtrack westbound over your contrails.
There is air service from two international gateways: Copenhagen, Denmark and Reykjavik, Iceland. Unfortunately, the sole airline serving the territory, Air Greenland, doesn't partner with any major frequent flier program. And the flight options are pretty limited.
Air Greenland flies between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) — the largest airport in Greenland — up to two times a day. This roughly five-hour flight is operated by an Airbus A330 with business class and coach. The biz cabin is arranged in a forward facing 2-2-2 configuration and coach is an industry standard 2-4-2 seating. Fares for this flight start at $450 for coach and $882 for biz.
You could also fly to the capital of Greenland, Nuuk (GOH), from Iceland. Air Greenland flies between Keflavik, Iceland's largest airport, and Nuuk using a small Dash 8 turboprop. The flight is just above three hours, which is quite long for a turboprop. Fares for these flights start at around $350.
In addition, you could fly to various points in Greenland from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, with Air Iceland Connect. This small airline also operates the flights using a Dash 8. Note that if you choose to fly with Air Iceland Connect, you'll need to get yourself to the small, domestic airport in Reykjavik even though your long-haul international flight will likely land at Keflavik. Fares for these flights start at around $250.
As mentioned, neither Air Greenland nor Air Iceland Connect belong to any alliances, so you're going to have to pay for your tickets. But, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could easily use your Ultimate Rewards to book these tickets using your points through the Chase Travel portal. That's because the travel portal has access to almost all flights, and will apply points at a rate of 1.25 and 1.5 cents per point, respectively, depending on which card you hold.
Related: How to use the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal
But getting to Greenland is just part of the puzzle. You still need to get from your origin to either Iceland or Copenhagen. Unfortunately, with the demise of WOW Air, your options are quite limited. You could fly from many major U.S. cities to Reykjavik's Keflavik airport with Icelandair. You can even redeem Alaska miles for travel on Icelandair.
Related: How Can You Use Points and Miles to Fly Icelandair?
The big 3 U.S. airlines also fly to Keflavik (KEF). American was supposed to start flying seasonally from Philadelphia (PHL) on June 4, 2020. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, that route's now been pushed back to next year. Delta seasonally flies from Minneapolis (MSP) and New York-JFK, and United seasonally flies there from Newark (EWR).
Redeeming miles for coach tickets on the major U.S. airlines shouldn't be much of a problem. A quick glance at award inventory shows that many dates have economy saver availability. The story's a bit different in biz, but I wouldn't be shocked to see expanded inventory in the coming months due to the coronavirus pandemic and the associated decline in travel demand.
Interestingly, getting to Copenhagen isn't necessarily that much easier than to Iceland. Of the U.S. airlines, Delta's the only one to fly there nonstop seasonally from JFK. Paid fares on this route can be quite reasonable, but award prices are often way overpriced.
The other option is to fly SAS, the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. This Star Alliance carrier flies to the following U.S. hubs from Copenhagen: Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington Dulles (IAD). Since it's a member of Star Alliance, you can redeem a whole host of miles for travel on the carrier, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Krisflyer and United MileagePlus.
Review: SAS Airbus A350 in business class
If you do end up choosing to route via Copenhagen on SAS, I'd highly recommend seeking out the carrier's new Airbus A350. I had a fantastic flight earlier this year from Copenhagen to Chicago on this shiny new bird.
Bottom line
Getting to Greenland is a journey unto itself. Since the island only sees air service from Iceland and Copenhagen, you're going to need to make your way there, before connecting to Greenland. This may seem inconvenient, especially to those who'll be coming from North America, but it's a small price to pay to be able to admire Greenland's beauty.
The best news of all is that miles and points can take you there — all the way from your origin to your destination in Greenland.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.